House of Commons Hansard #38 of the 36th Parliament, 1st Session. (The original version is on Parliament's site.) The word of the day was environment.
The Speaker
As is our practice on Wednesday we will now sing O Canada and we will be led by the hon. member for Simcoe—Grey.
Sarmite Bulte Liberal Parkdale—High Park, ON
Mr. Speaker, television is our most powerful communications tool. Canadians watch it at least 24 hours a week but what they watch is what is in abundance, American programming.
Canadians deserve Canadian programming. The renewal of the Canada television and cable production fund will go a long way to achieve this end.
The fund represents a uniquely successful partnership of public and private funding. It couples government and cable industry contributed moneys to increase the presence of high quality Canadian programming.
Last year the fund supported 376 projects and employed over 19,000 Canadians, with direct and indirect economic benefits estimated at $525 million.
A fine example of this was the Avro Arrow mini-series which was produced by two of my constituents. It was written by Keith Leckie and co-produced by Marie Young-Leckie. This show has now been sold throughout the world.
The renewal of the fund represents not only the government's commitment to Canadian television, but also recognizes the positive economic impact of Canada's arts industry.
Randy White Reform Langley—Abbotsford, BC
Mr. Speaker, I remember April 29 of last year so well. The Reform Party brought a motion before the House to initiate a national victims bill of rights.
The Liberals supported the motion. We had one committee meeting where some victims rights representatives and myself were listened to, but then nothing happened. How pathetic it is that the Liberal government can give so much hope to so many victims and deliberately forget they even exist after one meeting.
What about the right to know the status of the offender, the write to give written or oral victim impact statements and the right to know if plea bargaining is taking place?
It is easy to see why the general public has lost faith in this institution. They see false promises and ignorance of the plight of victims from a government that puts more emphasis on getting re-elected than protecting its citizens.
My message to victims is this: I will not forget you. The Reform Party will not forget you. Some day a Reform government will legislate your national victims bill of rights.
Ben Serré Liberal Timiskaming—Cochrane, ON
Mr. Speaker, when our government took office, mining investment in Canada was in decline. Since then our government's work with the mining industry to reduce regulatory overlap and duplication, implement innovative changes to our tax system and promote environmentally friendly mining practices is resulting in concrete benefits for Canadians.
For example in 1996, 20 new mines were opened or re-opened, creating 1,790 new jobs. In 1997 it is expected that 31 mines will open, generating over 6,000 direct and indirect jobs. By 1998, 32 new mines are expected to open. All in all, Natural Resources Canada predicts that over the next five years the mining industry will create 15,000 direct jobs and 15,000 indirect jobs in Canada.
I am proud to be a part of this government's efforts to assist the mining industry in creating these much needed jobs. I look forward to continuing our work together.
Réginald Bélair Liberal Timmins—James Bay, ON
Mr. Speaker, I would like to welcome the representatives of the mining industry to Keep Mining in Canada's third annual lobby day.
Mining is the backbone of many communities in northern Ontario, particularly in Timmins where it employs some 3,000 people.
Mining and metals exploration expenditures in Canada reached almost $900 million in 1996. My riding of Timmins—James Bay has paralleled this growth with expenditures rising to $43 million in 1996.
In 1995, the mines in my riding had a production value of $836 million. My riding's economy will benefit even further, with the opening of two new mines, by Echo Bay Mines and Royal Oak Mines.
I am proud to be part of a government that is committed to developing, with the mining industry, policies that will ensure the economic growth of mining communities in northern Ontario and across Canada.
Paul Bonwick Liberal Simcoe—Grey, ON
Mr. Speaker, it is with great pleasure today that I rise in this House to pay tribute to a great Canadian, Mr. Gordon Wright, a resident in my riding of Simcoe—Grey.
Mr. Wright has dedicated his life to the service of others, whether it be serving our country during World War II, as an educator for the past 50 years, or most recently leading the charge for a multi-use facility with an educational component focusing on diabetes. Mr. Wright realizes that educating people and in particular our youth would be a huge step in countering this rapidly growing debilitating disease.
If he were here, I am sure Mr. Banting himself would be honoured by the dedication Mr. Wright has shown over the past six decades.
I urge all my colleagues to join Mr. Wright, the residents of New Tecumseth and myself in trying to achieve this goal of education. I salute a great Canadian, Mr. Gordon Wright, an example to us all.
Dave Chatters Reform Athabasca, AB
Mr. Speaker, today is Keep Mining in Canada day. It is only fitting to remind this government and especially the Minister of the Environment about the contribution the mining sector has on the Canadian economy.
By this minister's remarks to the Canadian Electricity Association, she is clearly making the coal industry an economic casualty of the climate change program, even after this government has been promising for months that its program would not result in major economic loss to the Canadian economy.
Let me remind the minister that the coal mining sector in Canada employs 73,000 people and generates over $5.8 billion annually to the Canadian economy.
I hold out the same example she used in her speech, that of Edmonton Power which has committed to achieve the Rio commitment by the year 2000 without eliminating the use of coal in its generation of electricity.
How are Canadians going to trust a government that engages in this kind of doublespeak? It is time for this government to come clean on the real costs.
Denis Coderre Liberal Bourassa, QC
Mr. Speaker, the separatists are ashamed. They are ashamed of the words and deeds of their members.
Their latest fabrication is that former FLQ member Raymond Villeneuve is in the pay of the federalists. I say the separatists should have the courage of conviction of their own. Their former premier, Mr. Parizeau, is not at all embarrassed by his shameful remarks to those he considers ethnic minorities.
To eliminate any confusion, I repeat one quote “I admire Mr. Parizeau very much. He is one of the most brilliant politicians of his generation, he is an extraordinary man”. Those are the words of Lucien Bouchard.
I challenge all the members of the Bloc Quebecois, especially the head of the PQ branch in Quebec City, to disclaim the remarks of Jacques Parizeau and the actions of their friend Raymond Villeneuve. If they do not, it means they agree with them.
Maud Debien Bloc Laval East, QC
Mr. Speaker, the summit of the leaders of the 18 members of the Asia-Pacific Economic Co-operation forum was held this week in Vancouver. APEC is a forum for discussions focussing on freer trade.
APEC does not include representatives of civil society or permit discussion of any controversial issue and defines itself more as an association of economies rather than countries, thus ensuring that its decisions are not subject to any control. Furthermore, since 1989, APEC has not drafted a single economic or political principle its members can claim to share.
We find it deplorable that the Canadian government has not encouraged the leaders of APEC to examine rights and freedoms and the progress of democracy.
On the other hand, the Bloc Quebecois recognizes and supports the parallel people's summit, which dealt with the social aspect of APEC countries' trade policies. It was a summit where real things were discussed.
Eleni Bakopanos Liberal Ahuntsic, QC
Mr. Speaker, once again I have been insulted by the words of the former leader of the Parti Quebecois, Jacques Parizeau. Despite the 39 years I have spent in Quebec, I will never be considered a full-fledged Quebecker by the separatists.
This country the PQ wants to create, is it one from which everybody who is not an old stock Quebecker will be excluded? I consider these words a personal attack on my children and myself, as well as on all other Quebeckers of Greek origin.
When are the separatists going to realize once and for all that we are neither pawns nor puppets led by one side or the other, but full members of Quebec society with our opinions, which we have the liberty to express in a democratic society.
Another quote from Lucien Bouchard “I admire Mr. Parizeau very much. He is one of the most brilliant politicians of his generation, he is an extraordinary man”.
Will Mr. Bouchard and the leaders of the separatist movement condemn these shameful words of their former leader, or will they, by keeping quiet as usual, approve of Mr. Parizeau's intolerant position?
Preston Manning Reform Calgary Southwest, AB
Mr. Speaker, I rise to pay tribute to a great defender of individual liberties and a man learned in law. I refer to the late Mr. Justice John Sopinka of the Supreme Court of Canada who passed away earlier this week.
John Sopinka was born in Broderick, Saskatchewan in 1933. From humble roots he rose to become a leading Canadian civil litigator. John Sopinka knew the importance of protecting our civil liberties. After being appointed to the bench he became one of the court's strongest defenders of the rights of the individual.
John Sopinka was a leader in many ways. He was the first Canadian of Ukrainian origin to be appointed to the supreme court. He believed that Canadians of all backgrounds should participate in the justice system but insisted that everyone, especially himself, be judged on merit, not ethnicity.
On behalf of Canadians, I would like to extend our heartfelt condolences to Mr. Sopinka's family. We have lost a great Canadian and we mourn his passing.
Marlene Jennings Liberal Notre-Dame-de-Grâce—Lachine, QC
Mr. Speaker, yesterday Mr. Parizeau made a statement claiming that all federalist Quebeckers were of ethnic origin.
I have a question to ask of the PQ and the Bloc today: When will I qualify as a full-fledged Quebecker? As a black women from a variety of ethnic backgrounds: aboriginal, French Canadian, Metis, Belgian, born in Ville-Jacques-Cartier, I ask the leader of the Bloc “when?”
It scarcely seems necessary to ask this of Mr. Bouchard, for his opinion could not be any clearer, and I quote: “I admire Mr. Parizeau very much. He is one of the most brilliant politicians of his generation, he is an extraordinary man”.
When will the Bloc and the PQ stop throwing our non-French ethnic origins in our faces, labelling us federalist Quebeckers? When will they dissociate themselves from this type—
Jacques ParizeauStatements By Members
The Speaker
The hon. member for Vancouver East has the floor.
Libby Davies NDP Vancouver East, BC
Mr. Speaker, I was proud to attend the APEC people's summit held in Vancouver from November 17 to 24 with my NDP colleagues, the member for Burnaby—Douglas and the member for Winnipeg Centre.
This gathering of representatives of NGOs, labour, environment, women and aboriginal peoples discussed critical concerns about the impact of trade liberalization and globalized corporate power. We heard powerful testimony about the terrible working conditions and denial of basic human rights.
APEC's agenda of unrestricted corporate trade and control is increasing the exploitation of people and the environment. The right to food, shelter, a living wage, political and civil liberties and protection of the environment must be our priorities.
What comes out of the people's summit is a strong commitment to a vision for action based on meeting our human needs and putting people before profits.
Sheila Finestone Liberal Mount Royal, QC
Mr. Speaker, Jacques Parizeau said yesterday that his money and ethnic votes statement is not a claim, it is a statistic.
Statistics or not, we live in a country with freedom of expression and with the right to feel that we are full citizens. As citizens who have and do contribute to the well-being of our city, province and country, we are entitled to our ethnic views, our vote and our choice for a future in Canada.
Mr. Parizeau is not an ordinary citizen. He was the premier of our province and as such had an obligation to include, with respect, all citizens regardless of their perspective. His xenophobia is unacceptable.
The same goes for Mr. Bouchard who stated that he is “a fervent admirer of Mr. Parizeau and that he is one of the most brilliant political figures of his generation, an extraordinary man”. Sadly Mr. Bouchard is entitled to his narrow vision but it is not the opinion shared by the majority of Quebeckers. We have the right to our opinions, our choice for our future and that of our families and our children.
Enough is enough, Mr. Parizeau and Mr. Bouchard.
Bill Casey Progressive Conservative Cumberland—Colchester, NS
Mr. Speaker, I have a unique perspective returning to the House of Commons in 1997. After having served in 1988 to 1993, I had a little vacation and then was invited back. There are many changes that have occurred over that period but the most frustrating and dramatic change is the change in Canada pension disability. I now have constituents who have been on waiting lists for years waiting for a hearing or an appeal, people like Archie Black, Marjorie Newman or Mr. Reginald Bavis.
Mr. Bavis has progressive multiple sclerosis. He is totally disabled. He cannot work. He is still denied Canada pension disability. Mr. Bavis worked all his life and now he needs a little help. He has exhausted all his resources.
I will be providing the Minister of Human Resources Development with a file about Mr. Bavis right now. I respectfully request that the minister take this in hand and provide the assistance that Mr. Bavis needs.
Preston Manning ReformLeader of the Opposition
Mr. Speaker, the tainted blood scandal is the worst public health disaster in Canada's history. Thousands of innocent Canadians have died or are dying in part because of the federal government's inattention to public safety.
Today Canada's foremost expert on that tragedy, Justice Krever, finally got the chance to tell Canadians the truth about Canada's infected blood supply.
Will the government implement Krever's recommendations and ensure that this tragedy never happens again?
Don Boudria LiberalLeader of the Government in the House of Commons
Mr. Speaker, we on this side of the House intend to adhere to the embargo until 3 p.m.
Members on both sides of the House have been briefed on the contents of Mr. Krever's report. I would hope that the hon. Leader of the Opposition would do likewise.
Preston Manning ReformLeader of the Opposition
Mr. Speaker, I just asked for a commitment to implement the recommendations.
The government has frustrated Justice Krever every step of the way. It took his inquiry to court to try to censor what he could write about. It deliberately withheld cabinet documents from an earlier period from his inquiry. It publicly criticized and insulted the inquiry and it refused to act on Krever's interim recommendations.
After years of frustrating the Krever inquiry, will the government make a commitment today to implement his recommendations?
Don Boudria LiberalLeader of the Government in the House of Commons
Mr. Speaker, I totally reject the hon. gentleman's premises to his question. He will know, as I said a while ago, that this document is under embargo. Surely he will have the patience of his own critic for the next 45 minutes to wait for the report.
Preston Manning ReformLeader of the Opposition
Right to the last they frustrate it, Mr. Speaker.
Ordinary Canadians want to have faith in the blood system. The trouble is that the government has gone ahead without listening to Krever. The health minister started a new blood system that contains many of the same components as the old system. Krever was shut out of this transition team and consumer groups have been shut out too.
How can Canadians feel secure that our national blood system is safe again, given that the health minister may well be repeating the mistakes of the past?
Don Boudria LiberalLeader of the Government in the House of Commons
Again, Mr. Speaker, these are rather gratuitous remarks made toward the Minister of Health and others in the government.
If the hon. member across claims not to know the content of the report, I do not know how he can make such frivolous accusations. If he knows, I wish he would wait until three o'clock when the report is released.
Our government is looking forward to the report. It will be studied carefully. We intend to do our best to ensure that the blood system in this country is one in which all Canadians have full confidence.
Rahim Jaffer Reform Edmonton Strathcona, AB
Mr. Speaker, last month when a Senate seat opened up in Alberta the Prime Minister angrily refused to allow Albertans the choice for who would represent them.
The premier of Alberta wanted an election, the Liberal leader in Alberta wanted an election, the people of Alberta wanted a senate election.
Why did the Prime Minister deliberately ignore the wishes of Albertans by appointing another senator for Alberta?
Herb Gray LiberalDeputy Prime Minister
Mr. Speaker, the Prime Minister took seriously the various views expressed, but he has a constitutional duty.
I expect that the Reform Party, interested in respect for the law, should respect the Prime Minister for carrying out his constitutional duties.
Rahim Jaffer Reform Edmonton Strathcona, AB
Mr. Speaker, Albertans elected a senator in 1990, and it is not against the constitution, which we have the right to do.
We are sick of the Prime Minister appointing senators to an unelected, unaccountable, undemocratic haven of patronage.
How much longer will the Prime Minister disrespect the expressed wishes of Albertans?